Maple Syrup and Birthday Cupcakes

Monday, March 29, 2010

Maple Syrup and Birthday Cupcakes

This past weekend a good friend from high school was visiting Boston. K had a conference here last week and stayed to hang out this weekend. On top of hanging out with friends, Butler made it to the Final Four! K went to Butler and is the president of his local alumni club!

On Saturday we decided to partake in some local fun by heading up to New Hampshire to go to a maple house where they boil maple syrup. We had beautiful weather on Saturday. It was a bit chilly but sunny and not a cloud in the sky. After arriving at the Grant Family Maple House, we had some food and got in line to learn all about how maple syrup is made.

What we learned is that the sap from the trees has about 2-3% sugar in it straight from the tree. At that percentage, it would take 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup!! So they first condense the sap until it reaches about 8% sugar. The sap is then boiled to evaporate off the water.

Once the temperature reads 7 degrees above the boiling point of water, you have syrup! The guy in the maple house even explained how they use a baraometer on the wall to get the barometric pressure so they know the exact boiling temperature of water for that given day. It was all very scientific and extremely interesting.

The small bottles of maple syrup were a sample from each batch they had made at the maple house this season. The guy explained that as the season goes on, the syrup tends to get darker due to the change in the amount of sugar in the sap.

Of course, we had to get some maple products while we were there. Obviously, maple syrup. We also got some maple candies, some maple sugar, and some maple pepper. Can’t wait to find creative ways to use the sugar and pepper. If anyone has suggestions, please let me know!

Also, since K’s birthday was last week, I made him some cupcakes to celebrate. I went with my go-to chocolate cupcake recipe. I love that you can whip these up by dirtying only one bowl and using a whisk! I dipped them in some ganache and topped with festive sprinkles. Aren’t they pretty?

Cupcakes, Dessert

13 comments »

23 Responses to “Raspberry Meringue Cookies”

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1

Steph — January 16, 2009 at 1:09 am

These are so cute and perfect for Valentine’s Day!
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2

bensbaby116 — January 16, 2009 at 1:43 am

They’re so pretty!! I love meringues, I love raspberry, and I love chocolate… I might have to try this recipe. Thanks for posting!
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Linds — January 16, 2009 at 1:05 pm

Those looks absolutely lovely! Great job!
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4

Melissa — January 16, 2009 at 1:34 pm

How pretty, pink & perfect!
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5

Kristen616 — January 16, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Not only are they SO pretty but they look delicious! I love that flavor combination.
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Erin — January 16, 2009 at 2:54 pm

I bet those would be great for a wedding or baby shower! They look lovely! And I bet the raspberry/dark chocolate combo tasted great!
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Colleen — January 16, 2009 at 4:46 pm

These are BEAUTIFUL!
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Jen — January 16, 2009 at 4:59 pm

These would be perfect for a baby shower. You could probably use any flavor jello in them.
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Joelen — January 16, 2009 at 4:59 pm

gorgeous pic and the flavor of raspberry and chocolate is wonderful!
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10

Lori — January 19, 2009 at 2:27 am

Those look amazing. I love that first photo, nicely done!
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mooskietx — January 19, 2009 at 3:59 pm

Just looking at the picture makes me feel like i need to go to the gyms in Boston.
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Katie — January 20, 2009 at 12:58 pm

Oh my gosh, these look INSANELY awesome!! I want one right now!!
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Lucy — February 20, 2009 at 12:14 am

These looks simply gorgeous! and… I have a cookie tray to make for a baby shower… my yet to born grandson. Wonder how these would look in a light blue????
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Jen — February 20, 2009 at 1:21 am

You could definitely use blue jello.
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Alicia — February 20, 2009 at 3:43 am

These are so pretty! Im having a baby shower this weekend for a baby girl and these would be perfect. Which tip did you use for the star?
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Jen — February 20, 2009 at 2:47 pm

I used the really big star tip. Not sure what # it is, but it’s the same one that I used for my peppermint meringues (there’s a picture in that post).
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creativecarryout — February 20, 2009 at 3:05 pm

I saw this on tastespotting and wanted to comment on how gorgeous your photo is. I’ve bookmarked your recipe too – these are beautiful and I bet delicious with that flavor combination.
Thanks,
Michelle
http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/
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Jen — February 20, 2009 at 9:15 pm

Thanks for the compliments!
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Jennifer — February 21, 2009 at 11:57 am

Those are so cute!!!!!!!!
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Erin — March 3, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Ok, you’ve inspired me…

http://erinsfoodfiles.blogspot.com/2009/03/vanilla-bean-meringues.html
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colleen — March 9, 2013 at 10:32 am
Very good meringues… have made them several times for church since I found this recipe… they evaporate instantly ! Great also for a non wheat gluten item.
- beantownbaker — March 9th, 2013 @ 3:01 pm
  
  Glad you enjoy them!
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behance — October 12, 2018 at 5:06 pm

I feel useful from the sharing you bring. Thank you for the value you bring to the reader